A federal court has decided that the National Security Agency’s bulk, warrantless collection of millions of Americans’ phone records is illegal.
That program “exceeds the scope of what Congress has authorized,” Judge Gerard Lynch wrote on behalf of the three-judge panel.
The law “cannot be interpreted in a way that defies any meaningful limit,” he added.
Additionally, the government’s rationale behind the program represents “a monumental shift in our approach to combating terrorism,” which was not grounded in a clear explanation of the law.
Since when does the NSA give a shit what the courts or even te law says?
That’s why they are so pissed at Snowden. Not because he outed them about what they are doing, but because he outed that they do whatever they want without regulation.
So they ruled against it saying it went beyond that which was authorized by congress. Not exactly the same as saying it’s unconstitutional. I don’t give a damn if it was fully authorized within it’s scope of intent. It’s all BS.
The way I understand it is that the constitutionality of it would be a second bite at the apple if the authorization gets approved- or Congress changes the law.
Everyone is so cynical. We have plenty of checks and balances in place to ensure the NSA, IRS and others obey the law and don’t violate the rights of its subjects.
In other words. If you aren’t doing anything illegal or plotting with terrorists you shouldn’t have any concerns about all of your communications being monitored.
I’m less sure now, like why have a Fourth Amendment?
It’s not like any govt agency has ever been used for illegal partisan activity then lied about it, covered it up and it has taken years to get any kind of remedy or accountability in the courts.
